Water and Wastewater Resource Economics

Water planning, development, disputes and negotiations have been a prominent part of the western landscape since settlers began making their way across the plains more than 200 years ago. For nearly 30 years, we have studied the economic, financial, market and policy issues surrounding the management, distribution, development, and conservation of water and wastewater. HE has completed projects in California, Washington, New York, New Mexico, Idaho, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Texas, Arizona, Wyoming and Colorado. Our strength is our partnership with our clients. We have experience ranging from a first look at acquiring a new resource, to further development of a resource, to disposition of resources no longer needed. We work for public utilities and private investors.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS

The natural environment — including air, water, lakes and rivers, wildlife and forests — is the foundation upon which we build our quality of life. Changes to these natural resources impact people, communities and economies. As a full-service firm, we strive to learn about the potential impacts from such changes on behalf of clients. HE uses innovative economic techniques for recognizing those changes and their impacts to recreation, tourism, the populace and the products and services of a natural resource-based economy. As economists, we ascribe values to the environment and estimate economic effects of both positive and negative changes to those resources.

TOURISM AND RECREATION

Tourism and recreation are increasingly important economic forces throughout the western United States. HE brings more than forty years of experience to the understanding and analysis of the economic issues surrounding the burgeoning tourism and recreation markets. We evaluate questions of growth, social change and economic wellbeing in our analyses of these important industries. The firm’s goal is to stay ahead of all relevant trends and issues and be the proactive partner for our clients.

ENERGY AND MINERALS

The U.S. economy depends on energy and minerals to function. But increasing environmental issues and regulation necessitate a more comprehensive view for energy related projects. As a full-service partner, HE provides innovative economic consulting services to all sectors of the energy and minerals industries: utilities, oil, gas and minerals producers, consumers and government agencies. HE uses its extensive capabilities in economic and financial analysis to assist with conservation efforts, resource development planning and with assessments of the impacts of energy and mineral extraction and consumption. We want to think ahead on behalf of our clients.

LITIGATION SUPPORT

Full-service means that our firm also is prepared to look at legal issues. We conduct independent research, reach conclusions, form opinions, issue reports, participate in depositions and testify at trials. HE’s expertise in different fields and its seasoned toolbox of skills supports clients involved in litigation. HE’s research and analyses have been tested many times in various legal forums and have proven effective, reliable and defensible. HE prides itself on providing evidence that will stand up under scrutiny.

NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES

Native Americans face many of the same challenges as other Americans, and yet so much more. Because of the special relationship between these sovereign nations and the Federal Government, there are often legal, social and economic circumstances that are unique to tribal members and their governments. HE has performed numerous projects for Native American tribes, related to water rights, tourism and recreation, economic impacts and environmental issues.

NEPA

Signed into law in 1970, the National Environmental Policy Act requires that the environmental impact of federal actions must be evaluated. HE specializes in certain components of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), which are often a part of the NEPA process. These components include purpose and need for the action, economic aspects of alternative selections, recreational impact analyses, land use impact analyses, environmental justice and impacts of no action. We have completed EIS projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Aviation Administration, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.

AGRICULTURE

With a long term view of where our economy and culture has come from, HE takes special pride in serving the agricultural and agri-business sectors with economic tools and insights into the road ahead. We delight in bringing opportunities for efficiency, competitive advantage, profitability, and value to growers and producers.